Explore the Era

Delve into the postwar Los Angeles art world in this online archive, which provides additional material related to the exhibitions on view at the Getty Center. Learn about hipsters and happenings, and the venues across the city where all the action took place through images from the archives and first-hand accounts with the artists.

Billy Al Bengston Studio

In the 1950s, artist Billy Al Bengston’s studio was at this location in what is now West Hollywood in a building near Barney’s Beanery (a restaurant and bar on Santa Monica Boulevard). This was also conveniently close to the Ferus Gallery, which was down the street on La Cienega Boulevard and represented Bengston’s work. Other artists, such as Robert Irwin, Edward Kienholz, and John Altoon also worked nearby at the time.

Historic Map Locations

Explore the Archive

  • Video: Billy Al Bengston

    Video: Billy Al Bengston speaks about his work, March 2010

  • Billy Al Bengston’s studio

    Billy Al Bengston’s studio at Clark Street and Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles, 1957. Image courtesy of and © Billy Al Bengston